







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| No, but I definitely don't want to live in that house anymore! | |
| That's right, we should never forget how irresponsible my housemates are. | |
| Here we go, I'm sure it means they pay much less. | |
| Do you live around here? | |
| Do you go to the Windmill often? | |
| It seems Pogo wants to go into the garden. | |
| You know, I usually have some early morning lessons. | |
| Oh, sorry, I also need a grater for the cheese. | |
| Do you want to bet on it? | |
| Except mosquitoes because they ruin my sleep. | |
| I don't like violence in real life, I only like it in movies. | |
| I feel a bit tired and very hungry. | |
| I guess you need to change your cooking plan now! | |
| Wow, that's unbelievable, is it yours? | |
| Does anyone else want something to drink? | |
| The meeting is not the actual problem! | |
| There is also some cheese, but it's a bit mouldy. | |
| Come on, Mike, it's not about me being home. | |
| Let me check, we only need butter. | |
| I hope they are going to be here on time, too... I don't like waiting. | |